Re: Implications of NSI *Skunkworks* Rul ing

[Jim Dixon <jdd@matthew.uk1.vbc.net>]

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997, Dave Crocker / IMC wrote:

> At 09:02 PM 11/30/97 +0000, Jim Dixon wrote:
> >Perhaps I wasn't clear enough.  I meant "organization of ISPs".  
> 
> If you think that the opinions of the many different ISP organizations are
> so important, then why have you not organized votes by their members,
> especially your own?  Rather than touting what has not been done, how about
> helping to make it happen?

In the UK and elsewhere in Europe governments and ISP associations were
approached and asked to support the gTLD MOU.  As you probably know, 
the reaction of the UK Department of Trade and Industry was largely 
negative.  The reaction of ISPA UK's members was simple indifference;
people regarded it as overly complex and flawed.  The ISPA UK Council
did vote on it.  The vote was not to sign the MOU.

Why am I personally not helping to make it happen?  Because I think that
the gTLD MOU is seriously flawed.  Because I talked to you, to David 
Maher, to Robert Shaw, to Albert Tramposch, and I found that all of 
you were far more interested in talking your program than correcting
its flaws.  

> It is truly astonishing that anyone could seriously deprecate the fact that
> this activity has managed to get nearly 200 organizations around the world
> to demonstrate their support formally, especially considering that most
> organizations, including most of those that signed, tend towards
> conservative behavior.  They wouldn't sign unless they had given the matter
> due consideration.

We gave the matter due consideration.  Then we voted not to sign it.

There are over 60 million Internet users in the world.  There are something
like 6000 ISPs.  Given these numbers, 180 signatures (including ISOC 
signing a dozen times ;-)  is hardly a sign of great support.
 
> It's trivial to find a nit to pick with any plan or any demonstration of
> support.  It's a lot harder to develop counter-proposals and garner formal
> support for THAT.

In any complex, messy situation there is someone with a quick solution.
Their fundamental argument is usually "you got a better idea?"  No, Dave,
I don't.  But your quick solution isn't good enough.

--
Jim Dixon                                                 Managing Director
VBCnet GB Ltd                http://www.vbc.net        tel +44 117 929 1316
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